Finding Inspiration in Change
Change is in the air, and this season offers the perfect opportunity to embrace it. Whether you are ready to jump right in and roll with the tide or furiously swim against it, change is an unavoidable and potentially stressful part of every business. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, “Workplace stress remains at a concerning level, with 77% of workers having reported experiencing work-related stress in the last month.” Keeping a healthy and hopeful mindset is the key to managing your business well in the face of change.
At this time of change, we spoke with our resident change experts, our R&D team, about how they work successfully within a shifting business landscape. The R&D team faces changing production capabilities and demands, customer requests for innovative items (or adjustments to existing products), and a constantly evolving list of priorities.
Tips for a Fresh Mindset from Our R&D Team
Eat well.
First and foremost, since we are in the food business, eating well is non-negotiable. There is always something delicious cooking in the R&D Kitchen. The team experiments with new flavor profiles frequently. As seasoned experts with significant field experience in commercial kitchens, they have cultivated adventurous palates. Our R&D team loves flavorful foods and are frequently spotted with healthy snacks and hydrating beverages rather than sugar and fat-laden selections. This leads to a natural focus on creating nourishing products.
Connect with others in the field.
The challenges of modern business can be stressful. Cultivate a community of colleagues who can lend a supportive ear to talk through a tricky project, offer words of encouragement, or make you laugh on a tough day.
Invigorate your environment.
Those visiting the R&D Kitchen will be delighted to find the best music selections, a healthy dose of fresh air, and some of the finest banter in the building. A more comfortable environment lifts the spirits and encourages the best ideas to shine, as does strong communication with your colleagues. Per Product Development Technician Owen, “There is a nice mix of serious and unserious dialogue here in the R&D Kitchen and plenty of healthy debate about whether a new concept is going to work. We are comfortable enough with each other as a team to share our candid thoughts.”
Embrace the mess but do your homework.
It’s tempting to stay with the tried and true, but those options do not always deliver the breakthrough products your business may be searching for. Change can be a messy and challenging process. Think salmon might taste better with a crunchy coating or that a bold glaze might elevate your pollock? Try it! The R&D team continuously tests, problem solves, and tests again before sharing systems with customers.
Stay humble.
As R&D professionals, we have dreams of operational excellence and providing customers with exactly the right product at the right price. However, your ideas might not work the first time. It’s okay. Per Research and Development Manager Corey, “It’s not about what you personally like, it’s about creating something the customer likes, then thinking it over, and putting together something you think the customer just might love.” Sometimes, you can only succeed if you try again.
Stay tuned for our R&D Team’s adventures at the upcoming Seafood Expo North America’s New Product Showcase.
